Montag's Search For Happiness In Fahrenheit 451

Happiness in our society is harder to find than in the society of Fahrenheit 451, but once achieved, it is a true happiness, one which grows upon its seeds, and sprouts a great and fulfilling life for that person. The average citizen in our society believes themselves to be happy, but in reality, they too are replacing their true desires and childhood dreams with superficial entertainment and mindless activities, which resembles the society which is portrayed in Fahrenheit 451.

In my opinion, Montag went through a more mental than physical change. These changes in his mind mostly occurred because of the influence of individuals such as Clarisse. I think that the situation with the burning woman also influenced Montag’s change of mentality. Later in the novel after these people and situations came into play, Montag’s mind and reasoning were operating reverse of what they had in the beginning of the novel. I believe the biggest reason that Montag and his mind changed was because of Clarisse.

People always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. This is the case as well in Fahrenheit 451, the novel, written by Ray Bradbury, is the story that follows a normal man, Guy Montag, who lived a normal life in his civilization post apocalptic as a fireman. Although where he is from, it is not a fireman’s duty to put out fires, but rather to burn books. It is because of his profession he battled his conscience to find answers to his many questions. Throughout this book, Montag changed his perceptive on literature in his society for the better because he became a critical thinker and stopped being passive like everyone else where

Happiness is a fundamental right that all human beings are allowed to pursue of their own accord by the government. Yet, imagine a society in which all the thinking is done for their citizens, feelings are gotten rid of before they could be felt and it was encouraged to not accept the downsides of life. Throughout the pages of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, he describes the lives of many characters. Specifically their relationship with the emotion of happiness. Bradbury brings to the attention of the reader of whether the characters are happy or distracted. A person cannot be happy if they do are not honest with themselves and if they do not feel or think for themselves. Through the experiences of the characters spoken about, it will be seen how happiness is not felt and lived, because their distractions take place.

A person’s happiness is completely different than that of the person next to them. In Fahrenheit 451, the society is given the idea that happiness is found in the fast life. Students crash cars, crack windows, and drive recklessly for fun. Schooling in this society is not even in the realm of learning. Instead, it is filled with sports, electronics, and everything but an education. Death is a quick cremation instead of a proper funeral and mourning. Adults not only have poor relationships with their spouses, but also their children. Despite all these things, to the people of the Fahrenheit 451 society, the weak human connections and speedy existence

In Ray Bradbury’s novel,Fahrenheit 451, the protagonist, Guy Montag, learns that happiness comes from within from Mildred Montag, Clarisse McCellan, and Clarisse’s uncle. First, Clarisse made Montag question his happiness when asking, “‘ Are you happy?’”(Bradbury 7). Secondly, Mildred showed Montag she was not happy when she overdosed when Bradbury writes,”Her face was like a snow covered island...and her caring whether it came or went, went or came” (Bradbury 11). Lastly, Montag viewed an example of happiness when seeing Clarisse’s uncle, while watching him through their window, when bradbury writes,”...and the uncle who smiled so quietly and so earnestly”(Bradbury 14). In conclusion, Guy Montag is shown that true happiness comes from within

Clarisse, though she only appears momentarily, causes Montag to actually think about their society. For example, Clarisse says “You’re one of the few who put up with me. That’s why I think it’s so strange you’re a fireman, it just doesn’t seem right for you, somehow” (Pg. 21). When she says this Montag “Felt his body divide itself,” showing that Montag is actually thinking about what Clarisse is saying and it’s confusing him. She also asks Montag “Are you happy?” (Pg. 7).

In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury an important theme is happiness. The main character, Guy Montag, is a fireman whose job is to burn books. Montag realizes the importance of the books he has burned and how happy they can make people. Happiness is a theme because everyone in Montag’s community is looking for happiness, because the people who read books are happy, even though books have been outlawed, and because Montag changes his whole life when he began to question his happiness.

In the beginning, Montag was a dedicated fireman. He did his job with dignity, respect, and with precise manner. Then he meets this 17 year old, Clarisse. She is a very outgoing and thoughtful person. What is different is this is extremely rare, as the population has been bred to live life oblivious, fast-paced, and to basically just watch television. Clarisse asks Montag, ¨Are you Happy,” (Bradbury 10). This leads Montag to conclude that he isn’t happy, just mesmerized like the rest of the nation. “You are an odd one,” said Clarisse (Bradbury 8).

She unnerves Montag and effectively leaves him wondering about his contentment with life: "He was not happy." After meeting Clarisse, we begin to see the changes in Montag. He begins to question the way of things. This change plays a key factor when they recieve a call to burn a house. The final straw for Montag is the burning of a woman and her books.

In the book Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Montag’s is a fireman who is sad, but does not realize it until a young girl points it out. His happiness is described as a mask when a young girl named Clarisse stole his mask when she asked him if he was happy. Montag goes through a hard time trying to become happy and is forced to start reading books and give up his house, marriage, and job to become happy.

“We stand against the small tide of those who want to make everyone unhappy with conflicting theory and thought" (61). The novel Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, takes place in a world where everyone abides by the same set of strict rules and anything done to stand out from the crowd is highly discouraged. The characters of the novel experience the downfalls that come along with not being truly happy with the lives that they are living, because no one is brave enough to take a stand for the betterment of all. Through the words and actions of the main character, Guy Montag, Ray Bradbury is making it evident to readers that individuality is the key to happiness.

The philosopher Aristotle once wrote, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” This famous quote compels people to question the significance of their joy, and whether it truly represents purposeful lives they want to live. Ray Bradbury, a contemporary author, also tackles this question in his book, Fahrenheit 451, which deals heavily with society's view of happiness in the future. Through several main characters, Bradbury portrays the two branches of happiness: one as a lifeless path, heading nowhere, seeking no worry, while the other embraces pure human experience intertwined together to reveal truth and knowledge.

There are many other events in the book that make Montag question his love. For example when Clarisse pulls the dandelion trick on him saying, “you’re not in love with anyone.” Montag is then even more startled.

According to Storm Jameson, “Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed.” Jameson suggests that happiness is not just having fun, but it is to be present in the moment and to make connections with others. Happiness is rarely found in the novel Fahrenheit 451, because this joyless society defines “fun” as driving with the need for speed and with an intention of killing small animals and people or the deadening white noise of endless television viewing. The novel Fahrenheit 451 conveys this very idea as the protagonist Guy Montag and others in his society are unable to achieve full happiness. Author Ray Bradbury suggests the truth of Jameson’s statement primarily through